“It is so sad. People generously donated money to provide this AED – and many of those people were cardiac patients or their families.”

The Sussex Heart Charity is currently raising funds to complete a £100,000-project to provide life-saving, easy-to-use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at every train station across the county.

The AED that was stolen from Ifield station had been provided by Sussex Heart Charity as part of this county-wide project.

The Sussex Heart Charity has vowed to replace the stolen AED as soon as possible. To contribute to replacing the stolen AED people can donate by texting AEDS00 and the amount to 70070 or by cheque to The Sussex Heart Charity, Room 360, Sussex House, 1 Abbey Road, Brighton BN2 1ES